Now what to do for FreeRead today... perhaps more of Fire Starter... 

Jared heard Charlotte let out a husky laugh and the sudden deep timbre tore through his composure.  Pure hunger shoved aside any rational thought.  He gazed at her standing with her back to him and for the infinite time took in how amazing she looked in that dress.  It hugged her perfect slim tall figure and the colour next to her skin was amazing.  Strawberries and cream. 

“I see you have met my entertaining brother, Mitchell,” he said irritably.

“Yes and he is one funny guy,” she said touching Mitch’s arm leaving Jared incensed.

“Yes, he’s very jovial,” he replied his voice rich with derision.  “May I talk to you for a moment please, Charlotte?”

“I think we have talked enough.  Besides I’m talking to Mitch, who I have to admit, is much better company.”

“Ouch,” Mitch said and laughed.

Jared sent him a warning glare.

“Go ahead, Charlotte, I’m not going anywhere.  I’ll wait for you to come back,” Mitch told her, identifying this would make his brother crazy.  Perhaps Jared would feel rather than think for a change.

“Fine, I really don’t know what you could possibly say to…”  She was cut off by a forceful hand on her arm.  Jared all but dragged her outside to the very same spot he’d taken her breath away minutes before.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“Besides you?”

She didn’t answer as a jolt of electricity ran through her veins.

“I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for offending you before.  I sometimes lack diplomacy,” he told her with sincerity.

“Fine, apology accepted.”  She started to walk off.

“Wait, where are you going?”

“Back inside to talk to a more pleasant Montgomery.”

“OK, I asked for that.  Please stay, I really want to talk to you some more.  I think our first impressions of each other have been inaccurate and I wondered if perhaps we could start afresh.”  Her eyes searched his face and she seemed for a moment to consider.

“You’re very serious aren’t you?”  Her beautiful face held a slight look of amusement, as though a smirk was hiding beneath the surface.

“Generally.”

“Well, I can be too.  I take my job and the health of animals very seriously.  I also take the health and wellbeing of my family very seriously.  Just because I like to be light hearted and tease, doesn’t necessarily entail me being superficial as well.  Besides, seems to me you could loosen up a bit and be less…rigid.”

“Probably,” he said as he took a step towards her.  She leant against a post near the opening at her back.   He brought his arm around her waist and pulled her to him again.  “I haven’t been about to stop thinking about you since I met you.  Especially how your lips would taste and now that I have, I want to again.”

He pressed his lips with gentle force against hers, instantly she became giddy and loose limbed again.  She wrapped her arms around his neck to steady herself, should her legs betray her and played with the curls which skimmed his collar.  All the while desire surged through her body, taking control of her senses and mind.

He took in the details this time, to savour her.  Lips, soft and full and hair like silk.  Her bare skin under his hands felt velvety and far better than anything his imagination could have conjured.  Her aroma was intoxicating and his fuzzy mind couldn’t put a name to the fragrance.   

As he continued to trail his hands down her smooth bare back, caressing every inch along the way, she moaned into his mouth and it was almost his downfall.  He stopped and pulled back slightly, without releasing her.

“I have to stop, babe,” he said hoarsely, “or I won’t be able to prevent what happens next.”

Her passion filled gaze was her only response.

“I don’t do casual.  As much as I want to keep going, I also want to know more about you.  You are the most beautiful, intriguing women I have ever met.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere.”

He smiled and she felt her pulse quicken.  His smile is incredible.

“I would like to see you tomorrow, cook for you but I have to work.  Can I pick you up when I finish?”

“Yes,” she replied breathlessly. 

Stunned by the affect she was having on him it took him a moment to answer.

“About six, ok?”

She nodded.  “I’d better get back before my family wonders what has happened to me.”

“As long as you stay away from Mitch, then you can go.”  He held her tight against him, reluctant to release her.

“Oh, so he does have a sense of humour.”  Her teasing smile didn’t seem so frivolous now, as he’d first thought.  Though seductive it was also sincere.

“I’m not completely humourless but in this instance I’m deadly serious.”

“Hmm, a little possessive too.  I like that.”

“If you take up with me, you will come to realise very quickly that I do not share.”

“I haven’t made up my mind about that yet and I like to keep my options open,” she said flippantly.  “Now would you kindly release me?”

“Mitchell?”

She rolled eyes.  “You cannot ban me from talking to your brother.”

“Watch me.” 

She wriggled to see if she could break free and found it to be pointless, he was way too strong.

“Fine, I’ll stop flirting with him.”

“That will do for now.”

He grudgingly removed his hands and watched her stroll gracefully back to the party.

 
 
From Chapter Seven of Fire Starter


Jared gazed at her face and was taken aback by her expression.  Mesmerised was the word which sprung to mind and she looked absolutely delectable.  Her milky skin was flushed pink and there was the unmistakable look of desire in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said abruptly struggling to restrain the wave of emotions taking over his senses.  “I barely know you and it was inappropriate.”

“Why is it inappropriate?” she asked him her brow puckering.  Even puzzled she was desirable.

“Like I said, I barely know you and I don’t really think you’re what I’m looking for.”

“And what would that be exactly?” she asked caustically.  She stepped back, her brow still furrowed.  Fire went into her eyes which sent heat exploding through his veins.  Was there any emotion which didn’t ignite a fire in his blood?

“I hear you can be a bit impertinent and you seemed a little flirtatious when we met.  I usually prefer women who are a little less...frivolous.”

“Like you said we barely know each other which means you don’t know anything about me.  How can you make assumptions?”  Her face flushed in anger now and her graceful hands balled into fists.

“Look, I just don’t like to waste my time with women who are shallow.  From experience I have found girls, like yourself, are usually quite superficial therefore don’t gain my respect.”

“Respect!  You are arrogant and judgemental and I don’t respect those qualities,” she declared.

She turned with swift poise and stormed back towards the hotel.  Even in anger she appeared graceful.  What was she doing to him?

Jared watched her enter the hotel and cursed himself for being unable to suppress his desire for her.  Instead of trying to find out more about her, he let his attraction for her take a hold of him. 

Now he’d insulted her without giving her a chance or even trying to ascertain if his accusations were warranted.  He would have to find her to apologise.  He should have talked to her, shown some restraint.  Instead, he let annoyance at himself get in the way, raised his guard then insulted her.  Regardless, he was still totally fascinated by her and his desire had only increased.